The seventh annual used tire collection drive in Cuernavaca, Morelos, removed 46 tonnes of discarded tires from streets, homes and businesses.

Known as Llantatón, the event was created by the local Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS) and the Japanese tire maker Bridgestone.

Rainwater collects in used tires left in the open, becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The collection drive was designed to remove the hazard.

Tires were collected at the San Miguel Acapantzingo park in Cuernavaca, and in the neighboring municipalities of Ciudad Ayala, Huitzilac and Emiliano Zapata.

“Thanks to the participation of the citizens and the municipal governments in the Llantatón, we kept [the tires] from reaching rivers, ravines, streets or open air dumps,” said the environmental management director at SDS.

“We appreciate the support given by Bridgestone México, who have been unconditional allies in the protection of the health of the people of Morelos, and we invite the public to continue participating in initiatives like this, in support of the environment,” said Noé Náñez González.

In the seven-year history of the tire collection marathon it has rounded up 446 tonnes — an estimated 46,000 tires, which have been used as an alternative fuel in the cement industry or reused as furniture parts or an asphalt ingredient.

Source: El Universal (sp)